I don't know if it is because I was born in October or what, but Fall has always been my favorite season. Living in Florida now I don't get to enjoy it as much as I did up north. It doesn't cool off in the evenings here and the leaves don't change colors.
Some of my favorite fall memories are playing in the leaves, missing school one day and going out with my mom to take fall pictures in the park, smelling the scents of cinnamon and apples as mom changed out her candles around the house.
This picture was taken in Moberly, Mo . It is of my family. (I'm the one with glasses) The photographer Rob Vance just passed away I heard today :( , he was a life long friend of the family and the reason we moved to Venice Fl. 29 years ago.
I've been in the mood to decorate for fall this year. I picked up some glittery pumpkins at the dollar tree (everything is better with glitter!) and set them on the counter at work. I ordered a large lot of soaps and creams from Bath & Body works in all the yummy pumpkin flavors. If I was really adventurous I'd bake a pumpkin pie but not sure I'm up to that. I did watch a youtube video last night with some pumpkin cheesecake cupcakes that looked pretty delish, I'll share the link with you here.
Here are a few other fall photos from my college days.
The end of the week was kind of hectic for me. I started helping out at our Venice office and had to adjust to new duties, new hours and it ate into my blog time.
Day 7 I am thankful for nice people in the world. People that pay it forward. :)
Day 8: I am thankful for growing up in the small town that I did (Moberly, Mo) There is just no way to duplicate the things you learn when you grow up with the whole town knowing your business, Everyone knows your parents, grandparents and every screw up you've ever done. I think the best part about it is moving away, seeing the world and then going back from time to time and still feeling "welcome" and like it's held a part of your heart no matter how long you've been away.
Day 9: Vic!!! I am so very thankful for my partner, my lover, my best friend. I can only describe our relationship as being heaven sent. I honestly believe there had to be powers greater than us driving us together. We lived on other sides of the country yet managed to run across each other on Myspace and start chatting and building a friendship. After a year of that we took the plunge to actually meet in person and that just confirmed what we thought we knew;we HAD to make it work and live closer. We did lists of pros and cons of each of us moving. It ended up that my list "won" with more pros. I was in need of another hip replacement surgery and my doctor was here in FL. My family was here, I worked for them and there would be a place for Vic. Those were the biggies. I've never looked back and am reminded almost everyday how very blessed I am to have Vic in my life.
One of my favorite places from my childhood is Rothwell Park. It is located in the small town I grew up in (Moberly, Missouri). I lived just down the street, within walking distance . Before I even moved to Moberly in 4th grade my grandparents would bring me to Candy Cane City as a baby, to play on the swings and slides. I still remember the elephant slide. Looking at the pictures of Candy Cane City today, it looks like a much better playground, but what did I know back then...I was just a kid! (the photo above is back from my childhood and how I see the park in my mind today)
As I got older the ball parks and swimming pool captured my attention. I played softball on a team called Double Cola and then later went and watched the boys play baseball. The park had so much to offer..tennis courts, ball parks, lakes, hiking paths, play grounds, pool, and endless trees to sit under and get lost in my thoughts. There were hills for sledding, rocks to climb, picnic tables to visit on. I would often walk to the park alone and lay under the trees just to daydream and take in the smells and sounds of nature around me. It had a very calming effect on me. Much like the beach does for me today.
With every age growing up there were special memories of the park. Birthday parties during elementary school, meeting up at the pool in Jr High, hanging out at the ball park in high school or watching boyfriends play tennis on the tennis courts.
I think the park is what I remember most about my childhood and young adulthood.
